“The reason we started the Super Mega Nachos was because we use to do catering before we opened ,” Munoz says. But he also wasn't afraid of inventing new dishes, either, like the wildly popular Super Mega Nachos and mini quesadillas. “The reason I decided on it was because I figured that there are so many people in Phoenix from Sonoran and Sinaloa.” He knew they'd be eager to get a taste of this style from back home. Shelby Moore “This is the style common to Sonora,” Munoz says. “There are people who come in all the time who probably have no idea what our name is.” “They were calling us all sorts of names.
“They started spreading the word, ‘Oh, at Charlie’s they have Rocky Point tacos.’” And like a game of telephone, this is how Taquería los Yaquis got its first nickname, "Charlie’s Tacos." Then customers started comparing Munoz’s tacos to those they had eaten in the popular tourist town of Rocky Point, Mexico. Nevertheless, they started serving tacos around back in the parking lot. There was light rail construction bogging down Camelback Road. At first, he says, he wasn't sure it would be a good place. He needed a location and, a couple of years later, he happened upon the parking lot in front of Charlie's. In 2003, he began making plans for Los Yaquis. Unless specified otherwise, everything gets a lashing of spicy, bitter salsa and cool avocado sauce.īefore the taquería, owner Jose Munoz worked in construction, but he’d always dreamed of becoming his own boss. The line of customers is in place from the moment they open until the moment they close, with hungry night owls vying for the chopped-meat tacos, burritos, and meat-topped Super Mega Nachos. until 4 in the morning, the six or seven cooks in the trailer spend their hours frantically dodging each other to grab another fresh stack of tortillas, replenish salsas, and chop freshly cooked steak and chicken with big cleavers at freakishly high speeds. Shelby Moore Every Thursday through Sunday, and especially on Fridays and Saturdays, when they’re open from 7 p.m. But that night, when I suggested we go to Los Yaquis, he responded with a look of confusion. We’d been there together once before, but Titus had been countless times, as he had grown up and gone to high school just around the corner. We wanted to grab some food after a round of drinks nearby. It feels like everyone who knows Taquería los Yaquis loves it - though only a sliver of their patrons actually call the business by its given name.Ībout a year ago, I remember going to the taquería with a friend, Titus. Signature Taco(s): Chopped steak and chicken Taquería: Taquería los Yaquis, 705 West Camelback Road, next to Charlie's nightclub Over the next several weeks, we’ll be guiding you toward the Valley’s tastiest tacos, and the taquerías that serve them. In the hunt for the latest trendy restaurants, our spotlight often misses neighborhoods that are home to some of the Valley's best kitchens - including those making metro Phoenix's best tacos.